December ice rink for Limavady

Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) unveiled its plan for their site to be transformed for a week in December.

LCDI manager Joanne Kinnear said the idea came out of a community consultation asking people what they’d like to see on the site of the former workhouse and Roe Valley Hospital.

“We weren’t sure we could do it, but we’ve tracked down an ice rink and we’re taking a chance,” said Ms Kinnear.

“This isn’t a money-making venture – there is no grant support at this stage – if it can pay for itself that would be a bonus,” said Ms Kinnear. “It’s about opening this fantastic site so people feel ownership of the building and the site.”

Ashleen Schenning from LCDI’s Volunteer Centre believes the attraction, measuring 12m x 12m, will bring people from other towns into Limavady. She said it will also provide employment and training for local youth and volunteers who will be on site to deal with customers.

“We hope there will be a spin-off for the town and we get a influx of visitors from Derry and Coleraine, and that’ll make a nice change to have people coming here. Not everyone has the financial means of travelling to other places, so for those people who can’t afford that, it means we’re putting it on their doorstep,” said Ms Schenning.

The rink will be set up at LCDI on Scroggy Road, between the main building and gate lodge, with car parking on site from December 2-9. It will cater for school groups in the morning, and be open for general bookings from 6pm onwards.

Ms Kinnear said there will be local arts and crafts on sale, while local organisation, Be Safe Be Well, will host a Santa’s Grotto on site. There will also be a live nativity.

l For information (pre-booking is essential) call LCDI on 028 777 65438.